U.S. patent application number 12/943432 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-12 for method, hearing device and configuration for calibrating an acoustic tuning system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.. Invention is credited to Ulrich Giese, Matthias Latzel.
Application Number | 20110110545 12/943432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43567652 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110110545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giese; Ulrich ; et
al. |
May 12, 2011 |
METHOD, HEARING DEVICE AND CONFIGURATION FOR CALIBRATING AN
ACOUSTIC TUNING SYSTEM
Abstract
A method for setting a device for presenting sound specimens for
the individual tuning of a hearing device to be worn on the body of
a hearing device wearer. The method includes providing and
presenting a noise signal by the device, receiving the presented
noise signal by at least one microphone of the hearing device,
comparing the received noise signal or a signal derived therefrom
with a reference signal stored in the hearing device, and emitting
a status signal by the hearing device in dependence on the
comparison. In this manner, simple and precise setting of the
device for emitting sound specimens for calibration purposes
occurs.
Inventors: |
Giese; Ulrich; (Fuerth,
DE) ; Latzel; Matthias; (Eggolsheim, DE) |
Assignee: |
SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE.
LTD.
Singapore
SG
|
Family ID: |
43567652 |
Appl. No.: |
12/943432 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/314 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R 25/70 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
381/314 |
International
Class: |
H04R 25/00 20060101
H04R025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 9, 2009 |
DE |
10 2009 052 575.0 |
Claims
1. A method for setting an external device for presenting sound
specimens for an individual tuning of a hearing device to be worn
on a body of a hearing device wearer, which comprises the steps of:
providing and presenting a noise signal by a loudspeaker of the
external device; receiving the noise signal by at least one
microphone of the hearing device; comparing the noise signal
received or a signal derived therefrom with a reference signal
stored in the hearing device; and emitting a status signal by the
hearing device in dependence on a comparison.
2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises
emitting the status signal acoustically by an earpiece of the
hearing device.
3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises:
evaluating the status signal; setting a parameter of the external
device in dependence on an evaluation; and emitting a sound
specimen via the external device.
4. The method according to claim 3, which further comprises
performing an evaluation of the status signal in the external
device.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a comparison of the
noise signal received or the signal derived therefrom with the
reference signal includes a comparison of a sound level of the
noise signal received or the signal derived therefrom with a level
of the reference signal.
6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the parameter of the
external device is a volume of a sound specimen provided by the
external device.
7. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises
breaking down the noise signal received by the microphone in the
hearing device into a multiplicity of frequency bands and the
comparison of the noise signal received or the signal derived
therefrom with the reference signal is performed on a frequency
band-related basis.
8. A hearing device for calibrating an external device for
providing sound specimens, the hearing device comprising: at least
one microphone for receiving a noise signal provided by a
loudspeaker of the external device; a signal comparison unit for
comparing the noise signal received or a signal derived therefrom
with a reference signal stored in the hearing device; and a status
signal emitting unit for emitting a status signal in dependence on
a comparison.
9. The hearing device according to claim 8, further comprising an
earpiece for emitting the status signal acoustically.
10. The hearing device according to claim 8, wherein said signal
comparison unit compares a sound level of the noise signal received
or the signal derived therefrom with a level of the reference
signal.
11. A configuration, comprising: a hearing device having at least
one microphone for receiving a noise signal, a signal comparison
unit for comparing the noise signal received or a signal derived
therefrom with a reference signal stored in said hearing device,
and a status signal emitting unit for emitting a status signal in
dependence on a comparison; and a device for providing sound
specimens, said device having at least one loudspeaker for emitting
the sound specimens to said hearing device, and a noise signal unit
for providing and presenting the noise signal to said hearing
device.
12. The configuration according to claim 11, wherein said device
has an evaluation unit for evaluating the status signal, and a
setting unit for setting a parameter of said device in dependence
on an evaluation.
13. The configuration according to claim 12, wherein the parameter
of said device is a volume of a sound specimen provided by said
device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119, of German application DE 10 2009 052 575.0, filed Nov.
10, 2009; the prior application is herewith incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a method and a hearing device for
calibrating an acoustic tuning system for emitting sound specimens
and an associated arrangement.
[0003] Hearing devices are wearable hearing apparatuses used to
assist the hard of hearing. In order to accommodate the numerous
individual requirements, different configurations of hearing
devices are provided, such as behind-the-ear hearing devices,
hearing devices with an external earpiece and in-the-ear hearing
devices, for example also concha hearing devices or canal hearing
devices. The hearing devices cited by way of example are worn on
the outer ear or in the auditory canal. Bone conduction hearing
aids, implantable or vibrotactile hearing aids are also
commercially available. With these the damaged hearing is
stimulated either mechanically or electrically.
[0004] In principle hearing devices have as their essential
components an input transducer, an amplifier and an output
transducer. The input transducer is generally a sound receiver,
e.g. a microphone, and/or an electromagnetic receiver, e.g. an
induction coil. The output transducer is mostly realized as an
electro-acoustic transducer, e.g. a miniature loudspeaker, or as an
electromechanical transducer, e.g. a bone conduction earpiece. The
amplifier is generally integrated in a signal processing unit. This
basic structure is shown in FIG. 1 using the example of a
behind-the-ear hearing device 1. A hearing device housing 2 to be
worn behind the ear has built into it one or more microphones 3 for
receiving the sound from the environment. A signal processing unit
4 which is also integrated in the hearing device housing 2
processes the microphone signals and amplifies them. The output
signal from the signal processing unit 4 is transmitted to a
loudspeaker or earpiece 5 which outputs an acoustic signal. The
sound is transmitted to the hearing device wearer's eardrum, where
appropriate by way of a non-illustrated sound tube which is fixed
in the auditory canal by an otoplastic. The hearing device 1 and in
particular the signal processing unit 4 are supplied with power by
a battery 6 which is also integrated in the hearing device housing
2.
[0005] A hearing device is generally tuned for an individual in a
tuning booth. In this process the individual wearing the hearing
device in the tuning booth is provided with sound specimens from a
signal source, for example a CD or tape player. These sound
specimens simulate, inter alia, critical situations for the hearing
device wearer in order to enable the tuning of the hearing device
to be optimized so that the sound from the hearing device is
acceptable also in such critical situations. During tuning
parameters relating to the signal processing in the hearing aid
device are set individually. These parameters relate for example to
signal transmission behavior, amplification, compression or
settings for certain filters or algorithms in the hearing device,
e.g. relating to interference noise reduction, speech enhancement
or feedback suppression.
[0006] To optimize these parameters and settings the sound
specimens presented have to match corresponding realistic
situations as closely as possible. It is also necessary to know the
characteristic values of a presented sound specimen, e.g.
frequency, level, dynamic range, phase relationship, etc. at the
location of the individual's ear as precisely as possible. These
characteristic values deviate due to a number of factors from the
ideal characteristics of the sound specimen. These factors include
for example distortions caused by the tuning system, e.g. during
signal generation, signal storage, signal processing, signal
amplification or the playing back of the signal by way of a
loudspeaker system. Furthermore reflections off the walls of the
tuning booth can cause distortions, or the position of the hearing
device wearer in the sound field may deviate from the ideal
position, etc. Such distortions ultimately impact on the determined
parameters for setting the hearing device so that these deviate
from the optimum parameters and settings.
[0007] In order substantially to eliminate the abovementioned
negative influencing factors, it is necessary to know the
characteristic values of the sound specimen presented at the
location of the hearing device as precisely as possible. Therefore
the tuning system is first calibrated at the start of tuning. To
this end special calibration signals are emitted by way of the
loudspeaker system. A special measurement probe (e.g. probe
microphone) is used to capture and evaluate the calibration signal
at the location of the hearing device. This allows signal
distortions to be identified and substantially eliminated by
setting the tuning system correspondingly.
[0008] The procedure described above is complex and time-consuming
and has the further disadvantage that in order to achieve an
optimum result it has to be performed afresh for every sound
specimen and every change in the position of the hearing device
wearer in the sound field.
[0009] German patent DE 101 15 430 C1 therefore discloses a method
for individually tuning a hearing device that can be worn on the
body to suit a hearing device wearer, the method not requiring
calibration. To this end a sound specimen with predeterminable
signal characteristic values is presented to the hearing device
wearer by a tuning system. The sound specimen is received by at
least one microphone of the hearing device and transmitted back to
the tuning system either directly or where necessary after signal
processing. It is possible from the comparison of the predetermined
signal with the signal actually measured at the location of the
hearing device wearer to identify transmission errors of the tuning
system and to equalize them continuously during tuning. Calibration
of the tuning system at the start of a tuning session is therefore
superfluous.
[0010] Published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 10
2005 008 315 A1 discloses a simplified method for calibrating a
hearing device in respect of a current feedback path. To this end a
hearing device is provided including a measuring instrument for
measuring a feedback path and a control device to enable the wearer
to operate the hearing device. The control device allows a
measuring cycle to be initiated to determine at least one
characteristic of the feedback path. This allows the hearing aid
wearer him/herself to calibrate his/her system in respect of the
feedback path.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a
method, a hearing device and a configuration for calibrating an
acoustic tuning system which overcome the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the prior art methods and devices of this general
type. More specifically, the present invention simplifies the
calibration of a tuning system for the presentation of sound
specimens for individual tuning of a hearing device.
[0012] The invention recites a method for setting a device for
presenting sound specimens for the individual tuning of a hearing
device that can be worn on the body of a hearing device wearer. The
method includes the steps of providing and presenting a noise
signal by the device, receiving the presented noise signal by at
least one microphone of the hearing device, comparing the received
noise signal or a signal derived therefrom with a reference signal
stored in the hearing device, and emitting a status signal by the
hearing device in dependence on the comparison.
[0013] The invention provides the basis for the simple and precise
setting of the device for emitting sound specimens for calibration
purposes without additional microphones. The spatial position of a
hearing device wearer is also taken into account. Calibration takes
place just once at the start of a tuning session and generally does
not have to be repeated as long as the hearing device wearer does
not change position.
[0014] In a development of the invention the status signal can be
emitted acoustically by an earpiece of the hearing device. It can
be evaluated by the hearing device wearer so that calibration can
be performed by the hearing device wearer him/herself.
[0015] In a further embodiment, the method can have the following
additional steps of evaluating the status signal, setting a
parameter of the device in dependence on the evaluation, and
emitting a sound specimen by the device. This has the advantage
that the sound specimen is emitted already calibrated.
[0016] Evaluation of the status signal can also be performed in the
device. This allows automatic calibration.
[0017] In a development of the invention the comparison of the
received noise signal or the signal derived therefrom with the
reference signal can include the comparison of the sound level of
the received noise signal or the signal derived therefrom with the
level of the reference signal. The advantages of this are that
evaluation is simple and the volume level is taken into
account.
[0018] In a further embodiment the parameter of the device can be
the volume of the sound specimen provided by the device.
[0019] The signal received by the microphone can also be broken
down in the hearing device into a multiplicity of frequency bands
and the comparison of the received noise signal or the signal
derived therefrom with the reference signal can be performed in a
frequency band-related manner.
[0020] The invention also relates to a hearing device for
calibrating a device for presenting sound specimens. The hearing
device contains at least one microphone for receiving a noise
signal presented by the device, a signal comparison unit for
comparing the received noise signal or a signal derived therefrom
with a reference signal stored in the hearing device, and a status
signal emitting unit for emitting a status signal in dependence on
the comparison.
[0021] In a development of the hearing device the status signal can
be an acoustic signal that can be emitted by an earpiece of the
hearing device.
[0022] In a further embodiment of the hearing device the signal
comparison unit can compare the sound level of the received noise
signal or the signal derived therefrom with the level of the
reference signal.
[0023] The invention also relates to a configuration having a
device for presenting sound specimens and having at least one
loudspeaker for emitting the sound specimens to a hearing device.
The configuration contains an inventive hearing device and a noise
signal unit in a device for providing and presenting the noise
signal.
[0024] The configuration can also include an evaluation unit in the
device for evaluating the status signal and a setting unit in the
device for setting a parameter of the device in dependence on the
evaluation.
[0025] In a development of the configuration the parameter of the
device can be a volume of the sound specimen provided by the
device.
[0026] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0027] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a method, a hearing device and a configuration for
calibrating an acoustic tuning system, it is nevertheless not
intended to be limited to the details shown, since various
modifications and structural changes may be made therein without
departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and
range of equivalents of the claims.
[0028] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0029] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a hearing device according
to the prior art;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram for illustrating a method for
calibrating an acoustic tuning system according to the invention;
and
[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an acoustic tuning system
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and
first, particularly, to FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof, there is shown a
flow diagram of an inventive method for calibrating an acoustic
tuning system. The acoustic tuning system contains a device or
means 10 and a loudspeaker 15 for presenting sound specimens S4
which can be used to fine-tune a hearing device 1. To that end it
is aimed to ensure that precisely defined sound levels arrive at
the ear of a wearer of the hearing device 1. The acoustic tuning
system must therefore be calibrated. The sound level at the ear of
the hearing device wearer is also dependent on the wearer's seating
position in the booth and varies with the position.
[0033] According to the invention, therefore, in a first step 100
the hearing device 1 worn by the hearing device wearer is switched
on. In the following step 101 the device 10 provides a noise signal
51, what is known as a calibration noise signal. In step 102 the
noise signal 51 is emitted by the device 10 by way of the
loudspeaker 15 and presented to the hearing device 1. The hearing
device 1 receives the presented noise signal 51 in step 103. In the
following step 104 the received noise signal 51 or a signal derived
therefrom is compared in the hearing device 1 with a reference
signal S2 stored in the hearing device 1. For example, the sound
level of the received noise signal 51 is determined in the hearing
device 1 by level measurement and compared with a reference level
or setpoint level.
[0034] In step 105 an acoustic status signal S3 is emitted by the
hearing device 1 to the hearing device wearer in dependence on a
result of the comparison--sound level corresponds roughly to
reference level, sound level too low or sound level too high. For
example, a long tone signals that the calibration is correct, two
short tones signal that the sound level is too low, and four short
tones signal that the sound level is too high.
[0035] In step 106 the hearing device wearer evaluates the status
signal S3 and in step 107 sets a parameter of the device 10, in the
instance described the volume of the sound specimen S4 to be
emitted, according to the status signal S2 heard. In the final step
108 the device 10 emits the selected sound specimen S4 at the newly
set volume by way of the loudspeaker 15.
[0036] Alternatively the status signal S3 can also indicate the
exact value of the volume to be set for the device 10 in the form
of spoken text.
[0037] In a further embodiment the status signal S3 is not output
acoustically but is transmitted wirelessly directly to the device
10, where it is evaluated. The device 10 then sets itself
automatically to the required volume and is thus calibrated for the
current spatial position of the hearing device wearer.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an inventive calibration
arrangement having an acoustic tuning system containing the device
10 for presenting sound specimens S4 and a loudspeaker 15 for
emitting the sound specimens S4. The acoustic tuning system is used
to fine-tune hearing device parameters of the hearing device 1 with
the aid of the sound specimens S4. For repeatable and usable
results the tuning system must be calibrated. In other words, for
example, the volume of the sound specimens S4 is adjusted according
to the position of the wearer of the hearing device 1 in the booth.
Calibration is performed with the aid of the noise signal S1.
[0039] To this end the device 10 includes a noise signal unit 12
which emits a noise signal S1 to the hearing device 1 by way of the
loudspeaker 15. A microphone 3 of the hearing device 1 receives the
noise signal S1 and emits it to a signal processing unit 4 of the
hearing device 1. The level of the noise signal S1 is compared with
the level of a reference signal S2 in a signal comparison unit 7 of
the signal processing unit 4. The result of the comparison is
emitted to a status signal emitting unit 8 of the signal processing
unit 4. According to the result this emits an electrical status
signal S3 to an earpiece 5 of the hearing device 1, the earpiece 5
converting it into an acoustic status signal S3 and emitting it to
the hearing device wearer. A setting unit 14 of the device 10 can
be used by the hearing device wearer for example to change or
adjust the volume of the sound specimens S4 to be emitted.
[0040] Alternatively the status signal S3 can be emitted wirelessly
to an evaluation unit 13 of the device 10. The evaluation unit 13
evaluates the status signal S3 and emits the result to the setting
unit 14, which automatically adjusts the volume of the sound
specimens S4 to be emitted so that uniquely defined sound specimens
S4 reach the hearing device 1.
[0041] In a development the noise signal S1 received by the
microphone 3 can be broken down in the hearing device 1 into a
multiplicity of frequency bands and the comparison of the received
noise signal S1 or the signal derived therefrom with the reference
signal S2 can be performed on a frequency band-related basis.
* * * * *